Balancing Faith, Family and Academic Excellence

Photo by Brett Stakelin | Story by Sara Knuth

Peer Minister Sheccid Apodaca balances faith, family and academic excellence

When Regis junior Sheccid Apodaca’s five younger siblings ask what she does in her free time, she jokes that between homework and volunteering with University Ministry, she doesn’t really have any.

She knows a thing or two about balancing a busy schedule: She’s studying elementary education and serves as a peer minister to the University’s commuter students. She has another priority, too: acting as role model to her younger brothers and sister, ages 5 to 12. Apodaca, a first-generation college student, is a graduate of Denver’s Arrupe Jesuit High School and won the Arrupe-Regis Scholarship, which covers her tuition and student fees for four years. Typically, the scholarship is awarded annually to nine Arrupe seniors who demonstrate strong academic performance, character and the ability to be a strong role model.

As much as Apodaca jokes about it, college life can get overwhelming. When it does, Apodaca takes a few moments of quiet to connect with her Catholic faith. Whether it’s carving out time for reflection in her dorm room or taking visiting St. Catherine of Siena’s Adoration Chapel on Federal Boulevard for 15 minutes, Apodaca finds that a few interludes of peace impact her day.

“That really helps me reconnect with God and breathe for a little bit,” she said.

During her first two years at Regis, she commuted to campus. As a peer minister, her goal is to be a faith resource helping commuter students feel connected, and to offer friendship and guidance. This year, living on campus, she has the chance to fully experience college life, and she hopes to help commuter students feel the same connection.

“The biggest drive for me applying to be a peer minister was looking for more of a community. It was definitely difficult to drive back and forth and not be able to be here for afterschool events,” she said. “I really wanted to help commuter students feel welcome at Regis.”

The role also allows her to connect with her faith. Before entering Regis, she worried that she might not have many opportunities to do that. But that fear subsided when she learned about University Ministry.

“When I heard about University Ministry and the focus they have on the spiritual — that really gave me a sense of relief,” Apodaca said. “I could still practice my faith and I could still help people find that spiritual peace or connection with God if that’s what they believe in.”

Apodaca traces her interest in studying education to her five younger siblings. “Growing up around a lot of children was never a bad thing for me. I’ve always loved spending time with children,” she said.

Regis allows education students to apply for dual licensure in elementary and special education, which aligns with Apodaca’s career goals. “I want to be able to work with children with special needs, working one-on-one with those students who need a little bit more support,” she said.

Apodaca said her brothers and sister want to attend college, and it makes a difference to see someone who looks like them doing it. As first-generation student, Apodaca said she was initially nervous, but found support in Regis’ Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence and the Office of First Year Experience. At orientation weekend, she met students who, like her, also spoke Spanish and who could help her navigate orientation. Apodaca wants to provide the same support to other first-generation students — and to her younger siblings.

“I feel like I’m giving them a lot of hope and reassurance that they can go to college, too, and it’s OK to look different and it’s OK to speak a different language other than English.”